Yet another question that reinforces the fact that I may not know how to dress myself:

So, I'm beginning to turn my attention to a high loft, synthetic jacket for winter hiking in the Adirondacks. I've never done this type of hiking before, so I'm not sure how heavy duty I need to go when it comes to this piece of gear. I know it depends a lot on what I layer underneath and how I intend to integrate the jacket into my sleep system, but, in general, do you guys think that the DAS would be overkill?

I know the DAS is big and cumbersome to pack, so if it's too much coat for my purposes I'd like to carry something smaller I think.

Also, if I can get the same insulation out of the Micro Puff combined with, say, a down vest would that be a better, more flexible option?

I own a MP pullover (no hood) and have tried on the DAS a couple times. There is no comparison between the two. The DAS is by far bigger and warmer. MUCH warmer.

For true winter use out here I'd bring the DAS for my types of adventures. In fact I'll probably be buying one as soon as I can snag a decent price. If it was just hiking and I had an adaqute sleeping bag I might be able to get by with just the hooded MP but it would depend on the weather/temperatures. Below 32 and below 0 are two very different situations.

The real answer of course is gained through experience since your hiking style, temperatures encountered, metabolism, etc all play. Take your best guess, buy one and go from there if you can.

I know from experience that it can get really cold up there so having a DAS would be nice on those super cold days.

Here is where i stand;

on winter hiking day trips i prefer the combination of a high loft synthetic vest (Patagonia Micro Puff vest) and a high loft synthetic hooded jacket (Wild Things EP Hooded Jacket). I reason that I don't need a really puffy jacket because most of the time i will be moving.I can wear the vest under a softshell or windjacket and when it get's really cold or there is summit time i put on the hooded jacket.

on multi day hiking winter trip where you will be camping outside i will not leave without my DAS cause there will be a lot of time when you will be relative inactive and lying in my sleeping bag from sunset to sunrise in mid december is just too long. So i figure the extra bulk is worth taking in that case because i will use it at least 50% of the day.Also on a multi day trip it is comforting to know you have a killer jacket in your pack so no matter what kind of trouble you run into you will have the best synthetic jacket available (my opinion anyway).

With the DAS you will have to be carefull with selecting a roomy bag to not to compress any loft either from your jacket or bag.

Combining the DAS with the Patagonia Micro Puff pants is pure bliss and than you can get away with a really light sleeping bag and the pants you can wear in camp all evening.

I am a gear junkie when it comes to synthetic high loft jackets (I have too many) but my 3 winter favorites are;

With the DAS I am able to get away with a 20 deg bag and Wild Things EP pant on some pretty cold nights. When hiking in winter I think a super warm belay type jkt is not somthing you want to compromise on. I can honestly saw I have never felt cold in mine even when my base layers are soaked with sweat. I costs more, weights more and takes up more room but I would not want to find myself stuck outside in an emergency situation on a freezing cold day with a little synthetic pullover.

It is nice to be able to wear a t-shirt to shovel the driveway as well with this bad boy.

Don't screw around in winter, esp when you're new to those kind of conditions. You can survive rainy summer nights with next to nothing. Winter is not so forgiving. That doesn't mean bring the kitchen sink but you have to start solid and pare away carefully from there.

I like the micropuff for trail duty. If I'm bushwacking, or will be out for awhile I take the DAS, as it's outer shell is much toughter.DonPS come to think of it, I haven't used the micropuff at all since I got the DAS

Isn't this jacket comparable to the DAS? I was trying to pick a winter jacket and I'm in a bit of a bind too.

Granted, I don't plan on winter hiking this season because I just haven't been able to afford all the gear I need (I only started a couple months ago) That's why I'm just gonna get a Montbell UL Thermawrap! I like the pockets :)

I think it will be warm enough for a New England winter. Does anyone have any experience to confirm this? I'm a warm person generally and figure getting the Coccon Pro Parka may keep me too hot..

Has anyone tried the new montbell flatiron parka? It has 120 g insulation, and it looks like a trim cut, the great thing is that its only 22 ounces and 170 bucks. It seems like the perfect fit in between the micro and DAS, and it comes with a stuff sack that is about 170 cubic inches.

>>Granted, I don't plan on winter hiking this season because I just haven't been able to afford all the gear I need (I only started a couple months ago)

Dude, I'm in the same boat. I'm going to sell 2 guitars that I don't play any more to finance all this stuff I need to buy. It's cool though, I have a small army of instruments in the house, but lack gear for hiking.

Jeroen: Man, you're confirming my fears here. It sounds like the DAS and the vest/jacket combo are *both* needed depending on the activity and weather. I was hoping to get one or the other and be done with it. Still might try it if it's safe to do so.

Jonathan, Christopher, Donald, David: Sounds like you vote for the DAS. I agree that, given that I'm new to this, it's best to be over prepared rather than under prepared. I suppose if I got the DAS and found it to be overkill I could add the vest/high loft jacket combo to my closet later.

Andrew: I just don't think my thermawrap will cut it in the 'Dacks this winter. It gets pretty cold up there.

Andrew, Jonathan R.: Those both look pretty good too, but the Patgonia stuff is in stock at the store right across the street from where I work, so I can try it on before buying it (elsewhere online for far less $$$). I think the Cocoon might not fit my torso well (see the too tall soap opera in the ID Thru Hiker thread). Not that I'm not taking this stuff seriously, but I might just buy the DAS and be done with it. I found one for $175, so...

It also says it will only keep you warm to +10 degrees with a light layer under.

If price is an issue to you check out Wild Things. They are having some pretty good sales on their winter Belay jackets (you will probably have to call for details). My fiance' has the belay and loves it. While it does not have the long coverage of the DAS, she never seems to mind. If there was a world without Pataguch DAS parka's I would buy a Wild Things Belay jkt.

can you post where you buy the das from please or pm me
on 10/24/2007 12:41:36 MDT

David, can you post where you end up buying the das from or pm with the info. Would like to buy one as well, just haven't had the time to look around for one one sale. Would appreciate the help if you could. Thanks in advance, Eric

2. An early '90s Hamer Cruise Bass with the 2TEK bridge. It's new old stock, barely played. I bought it as a back up for my other Hamer Cruise, but never needed it. It has EMG pickups. It's so much better than an Fender Jazz bass that it's sick. This is the only bass that Bass Player magazine ever gave a perfect review too.

Ironically enough, they stopped making this bass because, despite the fact that the bridge is one of the single best engineering innovations in bass guitar history, people didn't like it because they *thought it was too heavy*!